It was just one of those days on the boat. The calm became a stiffening breeze, the breeze became a blow, and the blow just got stronger and stronger. We were in a race on the Bras d'Or Lakes of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, and we …( read more )

It is impossible to travel anywhere in Nova Scotia, Canada, without confronting a sign reading "Nova Scotia Strong". Nova Scotia has had to learn to be strong in the first months of 2020. With the rest of the country, we had to respond to …( read more )

It was one of those lazy, hazy August Sundays when more folks decide on the beach than sit on the bench at church. The smattering of folk warmly welcomed the summer guest preacher, who offered a sermon and gave us food for thought. There …( read more )

In a busy world, Sabbath is something that we need to seek intentionally. People need to pursue Sabbath moments in life. People in the church and in society alike need concrete examples of how to create Sabbath — in their car, through …( read more )

Picture a 12-kilometre (7-mile) hike with a 300-metre (1000-foot) drop from start to ocean. It's labelled difficult, and that means for seasoned hikers. Try it with all the camping gear necessary for mom and dad and three kids all under …( read more )

In 2001, the Church of Scotland looked around and decided that something was terribly wrong with the church in Scotland. It wasn't just numerical decline. There was something wrong about how people — both inside and outside — perceived …( read more )

Growing up in the 1960s, I learned to love "The Sound of Silence" by Simon and Garfunkel. And the sign said: "The words of the prophets Are written on the subway walls And tenement halls And whispered in the sound of silence." It was …( read more )

Imagine a negotiation between labour and management. The final touches are being put to the agreement, but there is still a sticking point — and the whole agreement may collapse unless it can be resolved. The issue? Time off. The … (read more)

What a mess of mismatched morsels! In front of her was food of every description brought to Evangel Hall (an inner city mission in Toronto, Ontario, Canada) all to provide a little something to satisfy the hunger of those who … (read more)

A sledgehammer? I'm holding a sledgehammer and tearing down a wall! This isn't what I thought when I heard the words "inner city mission", but here I am with crowbar, hammer, and helmet. Evergreen Mission to street kids is expanding, … (read more)

We came to visit. This was little more than a boarding house and our Youth in Mission team was trying to offer a little variety to a summer's afternoon, a little variation to the tedium of the tenement house. The … (read more)

Anyone over 40 knows how maddening it is to put on a favourite vinyl record and have it stick. "Tell me the old, old story… tell me the old, old story… tell me the old, old story… tell me the … (read more)

I never thought of myself as a person "living alone". I just happen to be living by myself for the first time in nearly three decades. But others saw my life differently and responded in wonderful and affirming ways. I … (read more)

It's been a tiring and gruelling day. I've been on my feet and on the road since before the first light of day, and it is now late at night. I just want to catch that last bus and go … (read more)

Every Tuesday, I spend five hours sitting outside in the shade of the Better Hope Church, before going out into the community to visit church members. We advertise my presence in the church building as widely as possible. Better Hope … (read more)

Auntie Doris moved back to the East Coast Demerara, Guyana. She has no family, no close friends, and, until recently, has had no place to live. But she is a wonderful, gentle, caring octogenarian, now 82 years of age. Her … (read more)

I know this father. He invited me to his home. We ate and talked and shared our loves and concerns. He asked me to accompany him to his son's bedroom. "My son is very ill. He is suffering from OCD … (read more)

I was visiting Sister Esther a while ago, and, in the conversation, I asked her how the day had gone for her daughter Annie who had just turned 23. Birthdays are a big thing here in Guyana. Esther smiled, and … (read more)

I'm at Woodlands hospital — again. I was here yesterday to have some tests done so that I could stay in this beautiful country of Guyana. The first two at the lab went fine and I paid the money necessary, … (read more)

Andy decided to adopt me. I don't know if he was told to look out for the new Canadian living in the Vreed en Hoop Parish manse, but that is what he was doing. What can I say about Andy? … (read more)

Let me tell you a tale about a modern-day Timothy who taught me the meaning of mission one hot Friday. His name is Rohan, and he is a member of the Leonora Presbyterian Church. He is studying electrical engineering and … (read more)

I walk the long road in the heat of the day from the Stalling (boat landing) to the Vreed en Hoop Presbyterian Manse that I call home. It is an amazing journey through temples, shrines, mosques, tabernacles, churches, meeting halls, … (read more)

The minibus careened around the corner, narrowly missing the horse and cart, and then drove bumper to bumper with the bus ahead. All this took place at about 100 kilometres per hour through crowded city streets in Georgetown, Guyana. I … (read more)

I arrived home tired, still sick, and ready for rest and relaxation. But I forgot that I had to bring in my sheets, so out into the dark I went. On my way back, something clacked and ran across my … (read more)

I met her quite by chance, or maybe not. I'm walking down Church Street in a blistering noontime heat in Georgetown, Guyana. Passing a vendor's stall that appears quite empty, I suddenly hear a faint voice, but I can't tell … (read more)

This is how we prepare for God's future. Celebrations for the millennium and the 125th anniversary of the Presbyterian Church will fade in time and memory. The Jubilee still stands before us as one of the crucial efforts and endeavours … (read more)

This is how we prepare for God's future. The prophet would have us consider God's will for the world and for the church as we embrace a new year dawning. "'For surely I know the plans I have for you', … (read more)

Our gospel passage echoes the same words as the passage in Samuel: "And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favour." God is the one who prepares for the future. From the beginning of time, … (read more)

Samuel is a child of promise. His mother Hannah's prayer may be found at the end of chapter 1 and the beginning of chapter 2, and explains why this simple story is told. Chapter 1 ends with Hannah saying: "For … (read more)

It's time to Celebrate! "This day belongs to the Lord! Let's Celebrate and be glad today." (Psalm 118:24) It's time to Celebrate! "The Lord is our God, and he has given us light! Start the Celebration!" (Psalm 118:27) It's time … (read more)

The date on our calendar and our readings both tell us to prepare for God's future. The Old Testament reading does it by following the early life of Samuel, promised to God for future service. The New Testament reading does … (read more)

We have come to the close of our millennium celebration for the Presbyterian Church in Canada. This marks the end of one of my personal efforts to mark this millennium moment and the focus on Jubilee and the celebration of … (read more)

Part of the theme for the Eighth Assembly of the World Council of Churches was "Rejoice in Hope." The Assembly study says; "It is a radical hope, a hope based not on human possibilities but in God's faithfulness and mighty … (read more)